Homicide #40/2016, Church Street and Charles Street East area, Stephen Russell, 58

Homicide #40/2016, Church Street and Charles Street East area, Stephen Russell, 58

Saturday, July 30, 2016 - 9:55 AM
51 Division:  416-808-7400

On Friday, July 29, 2016, at 9:03 p.m., police responded to a call for a stabbing in the Church Street and Charles Street East area.

Police officers located a man who was in medical distress.

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced. 

He has been identified as Stephen Russell, 58, of Toronto.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Craig Brister, Corporate Communications, for Detective Andy Singh, Homicide

Homicide #40/2016, Church Street and Charles Street East area, Stephen Russell, 58

Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade Road closures

Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade Road closures

Friday, July 29, 2016 - 4:05 PM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100 

The 49th annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 30, 2016. The parade starts in Exhibition Place at approximately 10:30 a.m. and proceeds out onto the parade route, southbound on Newfoundland Drive, westbound on Lake Shore Boulevard West. 

A smaller portion of the parade will proceed to Parkside Drive while the Mas Bands will be turning back into Exhibition Place at British Columbia Road. It is anticipated that the parade will be concluded by approximately 8 p.m. 

The traffic conditions in the downtown area, Lake Shore Boulevard West, the Queensway, Queen's Quay, and the Gardiner Expressway are expected to be very heavy.

ROAD CLOSURES
The festival will require numerous road closures and restrictions which will lead to delays and congestion in the immediate area of the parade.

Road closures for this event take effect starting Saturday, July 30, 2016, at 1:30 a.m. until Sunday, July 31, 2016 at approximately 6 a.m.:

- Westbound, Lake Shore Boulevard West from Strachan Avenue to Parkside Drive
- Eastbound, Lake Shore Boulevard West from Colborne Lodge Drive to Strachan Avenue and
- Dufferin Street south of Springhurst Avenue.

The following Gardiner Expressway ramps will be closed at 12:30 a.m., on Saturday, July 30, 2016: 
- Eastbound Gardiner Expressway exit to Jameson Avenue; 
- Jameson Avenue and British Columbia Road entrance ramps to Eastbound Gardiner Expressway and
- Westbound Gardiner Expressway to Dunn Avenue exit ramp.

RESTRICTED ACCESS POINTS
In order to assist with the safe movement of traffic and to provide for as little disruption as possible to residents, the following streets will have restricted access for vehicles:
- Dufferin Street south of King Street West
- Dowling Avenue south of King Street West
- Stadium Road south of Lake Shore Boulevard West
- Queen's Quay West, west of Bathurst Street
- Springhurst Avenue west of Jameson Avenue and
- Springhurst Avenue east of Jameson Avenue

Other streets, although not restricted to vehicles, will be strictly enforced for parking infractions. Those streets are bounded by south from King Street West, east of Colborne Lodge Drive, and west of Bathurst Street.

BATHURST STREET CLOSURE
Vehicle access west of Bathurst Street on Fleet Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West may be closed after the parking lots at Ontario Place and Exhibition Place Lots are full. This closure will be determined by need.

TTC

To Exhibition Place Area or the Parklands on the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard West:

From Dufferin Station, take the 29E Dufferin Express bus southbound to the Dufferin Gate Loop;

From Bathurst Station, take the 511 Bathurst Express bus* southbound to Fort York Boulevard/Fleet Street and walk 5 to 10 minutes;

From King or St. Andrew stations, take the 504 King streetcar westbound to King Street/Strachan Avenue and walk 5 to 10 minutes;

From Union Station, take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar westbound to Fleet Loop and walk 5 to 10 minutes, or take the 121 Fort York-Esplanade bus westbound (board bus at street level at Front Street and Bay streets) to Fort York Boulevard/Fleet Street and walk 5 minutes;

*Note: Buses are currently replacing streetcars on this route due to construction. As PRESTO is not yet available on all buses, customers should carry tokens, tickets or cash in case the vehicle that arrives is not PRESTO-equipped. Buses that replace streetcars are Proof-of-Payment.

ONTARIO PLACE PARKING ACCESS
All access to Ontario Place will be through Remembrance Drive at Lake Shore Boulevard West/Strachan Avenue. Vehicles exiting Ontario Place will do so at the same location and will travel eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard West only.

DISABLED PARKING
Disabled Parking will be located at the Enercare Centre within the CNE grounds.
Enter via Manitoba Drive/Strachan Avenue then south on Canada Boulevard. Valid disabled parking permit must be shown.

TOWING POLICY
All vehicles including tour buses, parked illegally on:
- Lake Shore Boulevard West (including the grassed area)
- Bathurst Street
- Fleet Street
- King Street West
- Queen Street West
- Roncesvalles Avenue
- Dufferin Street
- The Queensway and
- Gardiner Expressway
will be tagged and towed

Vehicles parked illegally in the Parkdale Avenue and Stadium Road areas will be tagged and towed.

The Gardiner Expressway is a restricted access highway which will be patrolled to ensure that vehicles are not parked adjacent to the parade route and pedestrians do not enter the highway area. Drivers who choose to stop or drive in a manner that puts other road-users at risk will be subject to strict enforcement.

Due to the large number of visitors and continuous events that occur with the festival, intermittent road closures may occur throughout the downtown core in the evenings and nights of Friday, July 29, 2016 to Sunday July 31, 2016 in the interest of public safety.

Historically, Yonge Street and the Entertainment District access has been restricted in the evenings and overnight.

It is recommended that you make yourself aware of alternative routes before heading into the downtown or Entertainment District areas to avoid delays.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Craig Brister, Corporate Communications, for Constable Tee Chase, Public Safety - Special Events

Come to the Food Court Social in support of Mental Health!

Have an appetite for change?

Come to the Food Court Social in support of Mental Health!

The annual Food Court Social presented by the Slaight Family Foundation brings together over a dozen of Toronto’s best chefs under one roof in support of those struggling with mental health and addiction.

All proceeds from the event go to support George Brown College's Augmented Education (Aug Ed) program. In partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Aug Ed helps people with mental illness or addiction histories and barriers to training and employment prepare for, find and maintain employment. This one-of-a-kind program is offered free of charge to over 60 students a year thanks to the generous support of donors like you.

The 3rd annual Food Court Social on Thursday, September 22nd 2016 is shaping up to be the best yet! Check out our confirmed chefs, sponsors and other exciting event activities at www.georgebrown.ca/foodcourtsocial and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop as all the tasty details emerge.

Please note that event attendees must be legal drinking age or older, and must have a valid government-issued identification to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.

WHEN

Thursday, 22 September 2016 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (EDT) - Add to Calendar

WHERE

George Brown College - 51 Dockside Drive, Toronto, ON M5A 0B6

The Way Forward: Modernizing the Toronto Police Service, Public Consultation Session #2, Monday, July 25, 2016

Media Advisory, The Way Forward: Modernizing the Toronto Police Service, Public Consultation Session #2, Monday, July 25, 2016, 5 - 8 p.m., Access Point, 3079 Danforth Avenue

Friday, July 22, 2016 - 2:00 PM
Corporate Communications: 416-808-7100

On Monday, July 25, 2016, from 5 - 8 p.m., at Access Point, located at 3079 Danforth Avenue, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders and Toronto Police Services Board Chair Andy Pringle will be hosting the second community consultation session on the modernization of the Toronto Police Service. 

Members of the public are encouraged to read the Transformational Task Force Interim Report and come prepared to discuss the report's 24 recommendation. The report can be accessed here. 

The session will include remarks from the Chief and the Chair and break-out tables designed to get the public's input on the future of policing. 

More consultation sessions are scheduled over the coming weeks. To find one near you, click here. Members of the public are also encouraged to submit their thoughts through email or video message. Visit our Have Your Say site for details. 

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Meaghan Gray, Corporate Communications, for the Transformational Task Force

Public Safety Alert, Canada Revenue Agency Scam

Public Safety Alert, Canada Revenue Agency Scam

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - 3:48 PM
11 Division:  416-808-1100

On Wednesday, July 20, 2016, the Toronto Police Service has noted an increase in the number of phone calls people have reported receiving from parties claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Police would like to remind the citizens of Toronto, that the CRA will never contact people via telephone, text or email and ask for personal information or demand payment for taxes in the form of pre-paid credit cards, iTunes, or other gift cards.

Police also want to inform the public that no one from the CRA, police, or immigration, will contact you via phone to advise you that a warrant is taken out for your arrest due to non-payment of taxes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Dawn Carreiro, 11 Division

Results of commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement initiative

Results of commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement initiative

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - 11:41 AM
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

Traffic safety continues to be a Service priority for the Toronto Police Service. Toronto Police Service Traffic Services performed a commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement initiative on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at 256 Cherry Street, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

This initiative was in partnership with 51 Division and the Ministry of Transportation Carrier Enforcement Unit.

The results of this initiative were:

- 25 truck inspections conducted 
- 42 charges laid
- six out-of-service vehicles
- one plates seized 
- two vehicle tows

This initiative showed that almost 25 per cent of vehicles inspected were in a state of repair that put the public’s safety at risk. 

The Toronto Police Service will be conducting further commercial motor vehicle inspections in the near future.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

Fatal collision #45/2016, 200 Queen's Quay East, Update

Fatal collision #45/2016, 200 Queen's Quay East, Update, 31-year-old man facing charges

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 - 11:28 AM
51 Division:  416-808-1900

On Saturday, July 2, 2016, at 6:12 p.m., police responded to a call for a personal injury collision at 200 Queen's Quay East .

It is alleged that:

- a 31-year-old man was driving a 2009 Porsche 911, eastbound on Queen's Quay East 
- for reasons not yet determined, the driver lost control of the vehicle 
- the vehicle left the roadway and struck a building at 200 Queen's Quay East 
- a 35-year-old woman, a passenger in the Porsche, was injured 

The woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she was later pronounced.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2016, Joseph Kirkpatrick, 31, of Kitchener, was arrested. He is charged with: 

1) Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death 
2) Criminal negligence cause death 

He was scheduled to appear in court at College Park on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, 10 a.m. courtroom 507.

Police are seeking the assistance of the public identifying any witnesses who offered assistance to the victims immediately after the collision. Police are specifically seeking two male witnesses who attended the scene after the collision and removed both the passenger and driver from the vehicle. 

The first is described as brown, 30-40, medium build, with wavy, medium-length black hair on top and shorter on the sides, full beard, black watch on left wrist, light-coloured bracelet on right wrist, red-and-white plaid top, light full-length blue jeans, black shoes, possibly high-tops or work boots with gold or yellow writing and gold-rimmed dark sunglasses. 

The second is described as white, 35-40, medium build, short brown hair with sideburns and full goatee, with few days' growth of facial hair, medium build, medium-blue golf shirt, dark-blue shorts, yellow bracelet on right wrist, light-grey, dark-grey and white running shoes.

If you are a witness to this collision, and have not yet spoken to police, please call 416-808-1900. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

EspYouth Basketball Tournament - July 17, 2016

Personal injury collision #37/2016, Now fatal collision #45/2016, 200 Queen's Quay East, Witnesses sought

Personal injury collision #37/2016, Now fatal collision #45/2016, 200 Queen's Quay East, Witnesses sought

Friday, July 15, 2016 - 8:49 AM
51 Division:  416-808-1900

On Saturday, July 2, 2016, at 6:12 p.m., police responded to a call for a personal injury collision at 200 Queen's Quay East.

See previous release.

The 35-year-old woman who was taken to hospital was pronounced on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. 

Police are seeking assistance identifying any witnesses who offered assistance to the victims immediately after the collision. Police are specifically seeking two male witnesses who attended the scene, after the collision, and removed both the passenger and driver from the vehicle. 

The first is described as brown, 30-40, medium build, with wavy, medium-length black hair on top and shorter on the sides, full beard, black watch on left wrist, light-coloured bracelet on right wrist, red-and-white plaid top, light full-length blue jeans, black shoes, possibly high-tops or work boots with gold or yellow writing and gold-rimmed dark sunglasses. 

The second is described as white, 35-40, medium build, short brown hair with sideburns and full goatee, with few days' growth of facial hair, medium build, medium-blue golf shirt, dark-blue shorts, yellow bracelet on right wrist, light-grey, dark-grey and white running shoes.

If you are a witness to this collision, and have not yet spoken to police, please call 416-808-1900. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

Man arrested in national Fraudulent Ticket investigation, Shaun Michael Nixon, 36, Police concerned there may be other victims

Man arrested in national Fraudulent Ticket investigation, Shaun Michael Nixon, 36, Police concerned there may be other victims

Friday, July 15, 2016 - 8:31 AM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7300

A joint investigation by the Toronto Strategic Partnership and the Peel Regional Police has resulted in an arrest.

The Toronto Strategic Partnership and the Peel Regional Police have been conducting a joint investigation into fraudulent online ticket sales between Friday, August 14, 2015 and Wednesday, July 13, 2016

It is alleged that:

- a man placed online ads purporting to offer tickets for concerts, sports and other events

- customers from across Canada and the United States replied to the ads and negotiated a price for the supposed tickets

- customers sent payment to the man, using email money transfers and money transfer service businesses

- in some cases, the man used bank accounts belonging to woman he had duped to receive email money transfers from customers

- the customers never received the promised tickets

Police are aware of at least 75 victims. Police are concerned there may be other victims. 

On Wednesday, July 13, 2016, Shaun Michael Nixon, 36, of Hamilton, was arrested. He is charged with:

1) Fraud Over $5000
2) two counts of Fail to Comply with Probation

He was scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall on Thursday, July 14, 2016, 10 a.m. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

The public is reminded that, when purchasing event tickets through an unlicensed seller, they have no protection when using internet buying and selling sites. We recommend that members of the public never use money transfer service businesses or email money transfers as a form of payment unless the sender personally knows the receiver. 

The Toronto Strategic Partnership was formed in 2001 to fight Mass Marketing Fraud. The lead agency in the Partnership is the Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes Unit.
Other agencies involved in the Partnership are the Competition Bureau of Canada, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, United States Federal Trade Commission, United States Postal Inspection Service. 

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Detective Alan Spratt, Financial Crimes

ISKCON Parade, Saturday, July 16, 2016, 11 a.m.

ISKCON Parade, Saturday, July 16, 2016, 11 a.m.

Friday, July 15, 2016 - 7:29 AM
Public Safety - Special Events:  416-808-5043

On Saturday, July 16, 2016, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness will hold their 44th annual religious and cultural parade.

At 11 a.m., the parade will travel southbound on Yonge Street, from Yorkville Avenue, eastbound on Queen’s Quay, and northbound on Freeland Street, where participants will disperse.

Traffic in the area will be interrupted to accommodate the ISKCON Parade. Motorists in the area can expect delays and are advised to consider alternate routes. This event will take place regardless of weather conditions.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Constable Jennifer Ladouceur, Public Safety - Special Events

Have your say in the modernization of the TPS, Transformational Task Force community consultations

Have your say in the modernization of the TPS, Transformational Task Force community consultations

Thursday, July 14, 2016 - 2:53 PM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

The Transformational Task Force has released a schedule of community consultation opportunities over the next five months.

This is your opportunity to take part in the process of modernizing the Toronto Police Service.

Click here for the community consultation meetings.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jeniffer Sidhu, Corporate Communications

"Take Time to Check" education and enforcement initiative, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 to Thursday, July 14, 2016 during morning and evening rush hours

Media advisory, "Take Time to Check" education and enforcement initiative, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 to Thursday, July 14, 2016 during morning and evening rush hours

Tuesday, July 12, 2016 - 4:59 AM
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

From Tuesday, July 12, 2016 to Thursday, July 14, 2016, Toronto Police Service Traffic Services, in partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), will be conducting the “Take Time to Check” safety initiative. Officers will be patrolling the main streetcar lines in the downtown core, during the morning and evening rush hour commute times, focusing on offences which occur in relation to streetcar-serviced stops.

Approximately 64,000,000 passengers use TTC streetcars every year. The Toronto Police Service would like to remind all road-users of the laws governing passengers getting on and off streetcars.

The “Take Time to Check” initiative is designed to promote the education and awareness of all road-users, focusing on the safety of transit-users.

The need to be aware and alert at all times on any road, and even in the most routine circumstances, is a key component to moving through traffic safely. This applies to pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, and transit-users alike. We ask those who drive to take extra care on the roads. If passengers are getting on or off streetcars, remember that, as a vehicle operator, you must stop before reaching the doors of the streetcar. 

This promotes pedestrian safety and reduces the likelihood of a collision.

Pedestrians/transit-users' tips
At streetcar stops, wait for the streetcar to stop and open its doors, and then look left. When approaching traffic has stopped, step on to the street and walk directly to the streetcar. When exiting, look right to ensure traffic has stopped and walk directly to the sidewalk.

General driving tips:
- scan to identify pedestrians entering the road from curbs or when approaching intersections, or TTC stops
- be ready for the unexpected
- avoid using distracting devices
- leave at least 2-3 seconds following distance between you and vehicles ahead

During this initiative, all road-users will be subject to various education and enforcement actions. Let's all work together to make your daily commute a safe one.

Traffic Services is dedicated to ensuring the safe and orderly movement of traffic within the City of Toronto. Stay informed with what’s happening at: Twitter, Facebook Fan Page, Facebook Group and on Blog

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

The Toronto Police Service would like to remind the public to remain vigilant and to lock their doors and windows at night

Public Safety Alert, Residential Break-and-Enters, Central and South Etobicoke area

Friday, July 8, 2016 - 11:28 AM
22 Division:  416-808-2200

The Toronto Police Service would like to remind the public to remain vigilant and to lock their doors and windows at night.

In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in residential Break-and-Enters in the Central and South Etobicoke area.

It is reported that:

- an unknown person or persons has gained entry into multiple residential homes through unlocked doors and windows

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Detective David Knowles, 22 Division

Fraud investigation, Update, additional charges laid, Police seekassistance identifying additional suspects

Fraud investigation, Update, additional charges laid, Police seek assistance identifying additional suspects

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - 8:54 AM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7239

The Toronto Police Service would like to update the public on an ongoing Fraud investigation.

It is alleged that;

- a passenger would pay for a taxi fare with a debit card

- the driver would switch the passenger's debit card for one that resembled the passenger's financial institution 

- the passenger’s card was then used to withdraw funds and to purchase retail merchandise

Click here for original release.

On Thursday, June 2, 2016, Ahmed Dogar, 25, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

1) seven counts of Possess/Use credit card obtained by offence
2) five counts of Fraud not exceeding $5000
3) two counts of Fraud exceeding $5000
4) Forgery

Police remind people to be vigilant when using debit cards at point-of-sale machines. Always maintain possession of your card and ensure you request a receipt.

Police are asking for the public's assistance identifying three additional men who are also suspects.

Police are concerned there may be other victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7239, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS(8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Craig Brister, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Danny Bell, Financial Crimes